A hydrostatic transmission includes a hydraulic pump, a top housing that houses the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic motor. An endblock sub-assembly has a pump running face for interfacing with the hydraulic pump, and a motor connection portion for interfacing with a hydraulic motor. The enblock sub-assembly forms a porting manifold for communicating hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor includes an internal rotor set, and the hydraulic motor is secured to the endblock sub-assembly in a manner that permits rotation of the rotor set. The top housing is fixed to the endblock sub-assembly such that the housing and endblock sub-assembly form a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid. The motor connection portion of the endblock sub-assembly supports the hydraulic motor externally to the top housing. The hydrostatic transmission is suitable for incorporation into various light vehicle categories, including zero-turn radius vehicles.